International Affairs and Trade Development Committee Meets

Led by Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, the California International Affairs and Trade Development Interagency Committee will convene its second meeting August 27, 2019, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in State Capitol Committee Room 113. Interagency committee members will discuss coordinated efforts aimed at accelerating climate action, increasing trade opportunities, and building relationships.

In his 6th Executive Order since taking office, Governor Gavin Newsom tapped Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to represent California’s economic interests abroad and established the International Affairs and Trade Development Interagency Committee. In addition, funding was authorized to bolster foreign relations. Three new positions have been created that will focus on California’s presence in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, develop investment leads, and serve as intermediaries with businesses looking to export or to invest in The Golden State. Of the investment in staff and renewed focus on foreign relationship building and policy, Kounalakis said “California’s leadership on trade and international relationships sets a standard for democratic values, higher education, and economic innovation. I look forward to working with America’s allies and global partners to recommit to our mutual interests, and plan to leverage both the resources and Committee to advance California – Mexico relations related to economics, sustainable environmental practices, climate resilience, and equity.”

When Mexico’s new President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was first sworn in last December, Governor Newsom underscored the importance of international relationships. He said: “It’s long overdue that we invest the time and energy on a permanent basis to make sure that we’re represented in Mexico 24-7, 365 days a year.”